(CNN) - After playing basketball at Washington's Fort McNair Army Base on Saturday, President Barack Obama seemed to approve the tentative deal reached earlier in the day to end the NBA lockout.

When asked about the potential agreement, Obama gave a thumbs-up and said, "Good deal!"
NBA Commissioner David Stern announced Saturday that players and owners appear to have come close to an understanding that could lead to a Christmas Day opener for the basketball season.

But even before that, fans will get a chance to see some pros face off in Washington in mid-December, that is if they're willing to dish out some campaign cash for the president.

A longtime basketball fan, Obama is slated to host the "First Ever Obama Classic" on December 12, a fundraiser featuring current and former NBA players. Some big names have already signed up, including Boston Celtics' guard Ray Allen and New York Knicks' forward Carmelo Anthony.

Other players include Patrick Ewing, Blake Griffin and Dwight Howard, and two female players: Cheryl Miller and Tina Thompson. More players will be added before the event, according to the Obama campaign.

The president will attend the Oregon State vs. Towson basketball game in Maryland Saturday afternoon.

soundoff(69 Responses)

Great, the President approves of something that doesn't affect him in any meaningful way. Maybe now that this stress is off his mind, he can focus on creating jobs or cutting the deficit.

November 26, 2011 07:56 pm at 7:56 pm |

rch

NBA to Obama: Thumbs down...

November 26, 2011 07:56 pm at 7:56 pm |

enough of the wicked "O"

here we go again, obama opens his mouth and spews garbage just like any trash on govt aid. someone do America a favor.

November 26, 2011 08:06 pm at 8:06 pm |

ebw

Just when we thought our PeeWee Herman president was completely asleep at the wheel, he wakes long enough to bless, of all things, the clowns of the NBA. And some say the man is clueless...

November 26, 2011 08:13 pm at 8:13 pm |

KeithTexas

Obama was jonesing for some B Ball

November 26, 2011 08:15 pm at 8:15 pm |

Doug

Well if this Obama classic is to stay true to Obama's politics and those of the Democrat party, then the score must end in a tie and neither team will be allowed to win.

For the sake of our nation and the good Americans who make it all that it is, let us hope that it is not just Ray Allen with the fade away.

November 26, 2011 08:29 pm at 8:29 pm |

FridayHarbor

Finally! 60 games is probably better anyway.

November 26, 2011 08:30 pm at 8:30 pm |

ryan

So how much are these sports figures getting paid to appear at HIS campaign fundraiser? Pretty sad that he saying "yeah, come see these famous sports people. But, oh, you need to donate to my campaign." Really? It's all about him, not the fact that maybe, just maybe, some family who is sans a job would like to take their kids to see some athletes but only if they can fork out some money. What a scam. Has this guy done any charity work during his term? Has he donated any money to help the homeless and unemployed?

November 26, 2011 08:30 pm at 8:30 pm |

T'sah from Virginia

►Jim
Who cares? My interest in this is somewhere below the next republican debate.
November 26, 2011 04:53 pm at 4:53 pm |◄

What?

Obama 2012

November 26, 2011 08:35 pm at 8:35 pm |

DAISHI

@Jim You cared enough to comment, which means you care more than you want to admit.

November 26, 2011 08:37 pm at 8:37 pm |

Brent

Must this strike come to an end? The networks and CNN are playing much more interesting sports than NBA during this strike. Guess I will have to go back to watching Netflick movies.

November 26, 2011 08:44 pm at 8:44 pm |

JDG

Who cares, is right. I can't wait to get his next NCAA hoops bracket.

November 26, 2011 08:46 pm at 8:46 pm |

Luke

why in the world is Obama involved in the NBA now? seriously? We are about to have a governement run national basketball league.... Can someone tell this guy he is the president of the United States of America not North Korea....

November 26, 2011 09:06 pm at 9:06 pm |

TPF

That's probably where Obama's priorities are with the NBA. It was really going to be a good year without the NBA, now it's about what's more boring to watch the NBA or Obama lying to the American citizens. He fooled them once but I don't think he can do it again. No repeat for Obama in 2012!

November 26, 2011 09:20 pm at 9:20 pm |

Patrick

ya, I think Obama would give a thumbs up to anything that can distract the american people from problems our country faces...tune into sports and space-out...it's the american pastime....

November 26, 2011 09:33 pm at 9:33 pm |

mark

Great. Maybe now he can focus on the economy, or Pakistan, or Syria, or something that will help the country! Oh, I forgot, now he'll focus now on riding around the country giving campaign speechs and fueling class warfare on the tax payers dime.

November 26, 2011 09:40 pm at 9:40 pm |

Rick C

Why is it every time there is an NCAA basketball tournament or NBA news they get Obama's opinion? President Bush was in the baseball business and I never saw any news asking him anything about baseball.

November 26, 2011 09:42 pm at 9:42 pm |

jj

That means SO MUCH...................................NOT.

November 26, 2011 09:48 pm at 9:48 pm |

Sam

It was high enough to read and comment though..........

November 26, 2011 10:05 pm at 10:05 pm |

phoenix86

A thums up from the loser in chief. I feel much better.

November 26, 2011 10:10 pm at 10:10 pm |

billyc

Lone okie what is your point? The Obama classic game will feature current and former nba players, not college players

November 26, 2011 10:13 pm at 10:13 pm |

Anonymous

Obama said 'good deal'? how would he know what a good deal is ? He's never gotten one himself – he just caves in to the other side.

November 26, 2011 10:33 pm at 10:33 pm |

O bomb ya

Obama said 'good deal'? how would he know what a good deal is ? He's never gotten one himself – he just caves in to the other side.

November 26, 2011 10:35 pm at 10:35 pm |

Andrew

too little too late. Don't pat these selfish men on their backs. They squandered an opportunity to show our own Congress how to compromise; instead they were short sighted and childish in their actions. I cannot see myself ever watching another NBA game, it is dead to me.

November 26, 2011 10:35 pm at 10:35 pm |

Mike

I wonder if the GOP will come back with their GOP NBA classic. Somehow I doubt that.